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Brent futures on ICE climb above $110 per barrel for first time since May 5

By 1:20 a.m. Moscow time, Brent pared gains to trade at $110.40 per barrel

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Brent oil futures expiring in June exceeded $110 per barrel for the first time since May 5, data from the London-based ICE exchange showed.

As of 1:00 a.m. Moscow time on May 18 (10:00 p.m. GMT on May 17), the oil benchmark rose by 1.91% to $111.35 per barrel.

By 1:20 a.m. Moscow time, Brent pared gains to trade at $110.40 per barrel, up 1.04%.

Serbia to develop military-technical, energy cooperation with Azerbaijan — Vucic

According to the Serbian leader, the two countries may begin the construction of a 500 MW gas-turbine power plant near the city of Nis in southern Serbia already in 2027 to commission it by 2030

Cuban diplomat rejects allegations that Cuba poses threat to US national security

Earlier, the news portal said, citing classified intelligence data, that Cuba had allegedly purchased more than 300 combat drones and was looking at using them against the US base in Guantanamo

A 'no-money world' and things for free? Japanese billionaire views our future from space

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

Over 50 aircraft divert from Moscow airports to alternate airfields over restrictions

In addition, about 32 flights were reported to be delayed for departure by more than two hours

US redeploying troops from 1st Cavalry Division to Poland — Polish official

According to the director of Poland’s National Security Bureau Bartosz Grodecki, the US also plans to withdraw the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from Vilseck, Germany, and may redeploy it to Poland

Israel build two covert bases in Iraq for Iran war — media

According to The New York Times, Israel began preparations to build one of the bases in late 2024

FBI puts Russian top manager Korshunov accused of espionage on wanted list

According to the the FBI office in Cincinnati, Ohio, Korshunov "is wanted for his alleged involvement in the theft of trade secrets from the United States"

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Press review: Russia not done building nuke triad and Trump taps Xi to help with Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 14th

Putin submits deal with Syria on expanding Tartus naval base for State Duma approval

The duration of the agreement is 49 years

Russian armed forces liberate Borovaya and Kutkovka in Kharkov Region

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that Ukraine lost about 1,045 servicemen in the special military operation zone over the past day

Russian Navy to hold exercises in all zones of responsibility Jan-Feb

Participating in the exercises will be more than 140 combat and supply ships, more than 60 aircraft, 1,000 pieces of miliary equipment, and 10,000 military servicemen

IN BRIEF: Ukraine swarms Russian regions with 355 UAVs, causing casualties in Ryazan

Two multi-story residential buildings were also damaged as a result of the attack on Ryazan

US loses control of its biolabs around world — expert

According to Alexey Shablya, the theory that the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in one of these labs, while not 100% confirmed, also cannot be disproved

Aluminum price hits ten-year highs amid Guinea unrest

The global aluminum market depends on 20% of its bauxite supplies from Guinea

Cuba to use its right to self-defense if attacked — foreign iistry

The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing sources, that the United States does not rule out capturing one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raul Castro

Sweatshirts with Putin's quotes turn into top sellers at Harbin expo

Besides clothing, high-quality Russian handicrafts are generating immense interest among Expo visitors

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon nears 2,990 — health ministry

9,210 people being injured

Russia outraged by US cynicism in tightening blockade of Cuba — deputy foreign minister

This is a cynical and blatant manifestation of the Monroe Doctrine, Sergey Ryabkov said

Finland to practice forcefully crossing Russian border during naval drills — expert

Alexander Stepanov warned that industrial facilities in northwestern Russia as well as taking control of Karelia may be priority objectives in the course of potential aggression against Russia

Drone attacks on Moscow leave 12 people injured — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin added that three residential buildings had been damaged

Ukraine purposefully sows panic in Energodar, makes peaceful life impossible — Likhachev

The enemy is purposefully spreading panic in the city and makes an ordinary peaceful life impossible, Rosatom CEO said

At least ten people injured as car rams into crowd in Modena — Il Giornale

The exact number of the affected is being determined

Trump warns Iran of harder strikes than before if there is no deal

Earlie on Sunday, the US president urged urged Iran to act faster to move to a potential deal

Russia’s advanced frigate Admiral Makarov commissioned for operation

The warships of this class have a displacement of about 4,000 tonnes, a length of 125 meters and a speed of 30 knots and a sea endurance of 30 days

Pentagon developing four scenarios for military escalation with Iran — news outlet

Axios noted that US servicemen had prepared a plan for a ground operation deep inside Iran aimed at seizing highly enriched uranium located at nuclear facilities

Russian air defense shoots down 1,054 Ukrainian drones, Flamingo, Neptune-MD missiles

The Black Sea Fleet destroyed six unmanned boats of Ukrainian armed forces

Press review: Putin V-Day speech gives life to Ukraine peace and Iran's new superweapon

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 12th

Russia pushes Ukrainian army to western bank of Udava near Miropolskoye in Sumy Region

Military expert Andrey Marochko says Miropolskoye was earlier liberated

Kremlin views discussions on dialogue with Russia in Europe as positive thing

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that "the shift in thinking that ‘at some point we’ll have to talk to the Russians,’ that’s a good thing"

NATO secretary general to put pressure on EU defense companies to please US — FT

According to the newspaper, the North Atlantic Alliance is interested in European industry helping to meet Washington's demands for increased defense spending to mitigate Trump's "anger" at the alleged inability of allies to support the United States in the conflict in the Middle East

Ebola death toll in Democratic Republic of Congo rises to 88 — epidemiologists

The number of presumptive cases is 336

Kiev forces lost over 1,100 troops in 24 hours across all special military operation zone

In the Battlegroup North zone, the enemy lost up to 155 soldiers

Russian embassy in Netherlands receives no requests from Russian from virus-stricken ship

On the evening of May 11, MV Hondius sailed from Tenerife port in the Canary Islands to the Netherlands

Zaporozhye NPP’s Raduga substation attacked by Ukrainian drone

Apart from that, according to the ZNPP, Ukrainian troops also attacked the facility’s transport shop, damaging its roof and personnel buses

EU slaps import duties on agricultural products, fertilizers from Russia, Belarus

According to the statement, the transit of all agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Belarus to third countries will remain unaffected by the measures

Academic expedition hopes to read Pomors' calendars

Scientists stress that Pomors were the most qualified meteorologists in the Arctic in the 17 - 19 centuries

Hainan claims rapid development of space city

The innovation zone's head Liu Chong said 205 specialized companies are operating there

Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Trump calls on Iran to act faster on issue of potential deal

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

IN BRIEF: Lavrov speaks of US plans to control energy flows, Western neocolonialism

The West uses unscrupulous methods to prevent countries from purchasing Russian oil, the Russian foreign minister said

Air defenses repel another attack involving ten drones heading for Moscow — mayor

According to Sergey Sobyanin, 64 drones have been shot down

Brent futures on ICE climb above $110 per barrel for first time since May 5

By 1:20 a.m. Moscow time, Brent pared gains to trade at $110.40 per barrel

Ex-Romanian foreign minister calls for normalizing relations with Russia

Andrei Marga stressed that normalizing relations with China, Russia, and Turkey is essential for Romania’s democratization, modernization and welfare

Kallas would face difficult time as negotiator with Russia, Kremlin spokesman says

EU foreign policy chief won't have an easy time, Dmitry Peskov said

Lithuania to send troops to Strait of Hormuz after US, Iran sign peace deal — president

I don’t think that our military should take part in this mission amid the continuing conflict, Gitanas Nauseda said

US interested in calling on Arab nations to help pay for cost of Iran operation — official

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

36 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions, Azov Sea in seven hours

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyer 36 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Novgorod, Rostov, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions, and the Azov Sea

Putin's test for Europe, Nazi revival, US-China relations: Lavrov's statements

Russia will not be drawn into any triangulation attempts by the US to pit Moscow and Beijing against one another, the Russian foreign minister said

China reassures US of not providing material support to Iran — official

According to Greer, the United States is not seeking "to have joint military options with the Chinese" in the Strait of Hormuz

UAE defense ministry investigating drone attack on generator near Barakah NPP

Abu Dhabi authorities reported earlier in the day that a fire broke out following a drone strike on a generator near the Barakah NPP

Higher Administrative Court forbids Timoshenko, Lutsenko to run in polls

The court thus upheld the ruling of the lower-tier court and supported the CEC resolution that denied registration to Timoshenko and Lutsenko

Zaporozhye NPP’s transport shop comes under Ukraine’s shelling attack

It also said that Ukrainian troops tried to attack the facility’s Raduga substation with a use of a drone, which was shot down and did not detonate

Netanyahu discusses Iran with Trump, calls war cabinet meeting — media

Shortly after this conversation, Netanyahu called a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet, which will be held later in the day

US sets Iran five conditions for continuing peace process — Fars news agency

According to the agency, the US refuses to pay any compensation for damage caused by the bombings of Iranian territory

S-400 could be loaded for shipping to Turkey on July 7 — TV

The Pentagon reacted negatively to the Russia-Turkey deal

Germany to be turned into transit staging hub for NATO troops — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman highlighted that infrastructure improvements in Germany are proceeding at an accelerated speed for a potential confrontation with Russia

Iran guarantees safe passage through Hormuz Strait for all vessels after end of war — MFA

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that complete cessation of hostilities is the only solution

US Congress unlikely to approve more military aid for Kiev — lawmaker

Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast also emphasized that Washington’s European allies should increase their support for Kiev

Sarmat needs no advertising, no one else has analogues — Russian deputy foreign minister

This system allows guaranteed penetration of both existing and any missile defense systems still in the development phase, Sergey Ryabkov said

Naval blockade unlikely to undermine Iran’s economy, envoy says

Alireza Sanei noted that Iran shares borders with 15 countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Armenia

Iranian oil can be carried via Crimean ports, regional authorities claim

There is a plenitude of other areas for potential cooperation because Iran "is a very diverse country in economic terms," , Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea Georgy Muradov said

Russian combat aircraft a cut above NATO weapons in combat — UAC CEO

According to Vadim Badekha, the country’s aircraft manufacturing industry became much more efficient

UAE reserves right to respond to attack on Barakah NPP’s generator — top diplomat

According to the WAM news agency, the top UAE diplomat "strongly condemned the terror attack" when a drone struck a generator outside the Barakah NPP’s inner perimeter causing fire to it

US may be readying to capture Raul Castro, NYT says

According to The New York Times, American officials admit that the United States will enact a Venezuelan scenario in Cuba

Top Iranian diplomat comments on Russia’s uranium proposal, attempts to derail talks

Abbas Araghchi pointed to the Iranian authorities' efforts to maintain a ceasefire with the US in order to resolve the conflict diplomatically

About 80,000 people march in London — Sky News

The patriotic march under the slogan Unite the Kingdom, organized by the founder of the British far-right movement English Defense League, Tommy Robinson gathered about 60,000 people

Russian army liberates two settlements, continue fighting for four more — Gerasimov

Russia’s Battlegroup West is conducting active offensive operations within its area of responsibility along a frontline of approximately 350 kilometers, the Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General said

US needs stability on Taiwan issue — trade representative

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island

Drone attack on Moscow overnight into Sunday becomes largest in more than a year

Over the past 24 hours, more than 120 UAVs have been shot down

Israel stepping up fight against FPV drones, analyzing Ukraine conflict experience — PM

Touching upon the issue of the use of drones during a war cabinet meeting, he recalled that six year ago he had warned about this threat

Israeli army storms Palestinian town of Tubas in West Bank

Earlier, the IDF press service reported the completion of a 60-hour raid in the city of Jenin

Cuba has right to self-defense in case of US aggression — Cuban diplomat

Ernesto Soberon Guzman emphasized that Cuba has the right to legitimate self-defense, which is based on the principle of international law and the United Nations Charter

Ten-point plan for talks with US is 'red line' for Iran — lawmaker

Mohammad Saleh Jokar, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Interior Affairs Committee, noted that Iran "never trusted the US," and his country has no other option but to "become stronger"

Ukraine attacks Zaporozhye NPP territory with drone, which falls near power units

The drone did not detonate upon falling, the ZNPP reported

Russian scientists peek into skull of Earth’s top predator from 250 million years ago

The Garjainia reptile genus that inhabited the Earth approximately 250 million years ago, was an archosaur - the ancestor of the dinosaurs

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

No signal from Kiev regarding new round of talks, senior Russian diplomat says

Mikhail Galuzin noted that for successful negotiations Vladimir Zelensky will need to order the Ukrainian armed forces to cease fire and pull troops from Donbass

US legislators renew calls to pass anti-Russia sanctions after talks — Reuters

It has not been indicated when corresponding bills might be brought up for a vote

One civilian killed, four wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR during day

Apart from that, according to Pushilin, two civilian infrastructure facilities, two cars, and two trucks were damaged

US, Israel could resume strikes on Iran as early as next week — NYT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, US President Donald Trump is considering more aggressive bombing of Iran and a special forces ground operation to extract enriched uranium from Iranian nuclear facilities

Over 1,500 servicemen taking part in snap checks in Russia's south

Around 300 pieces of military equipment will be used in the drills

Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager on four-year deal

He will assume his duties on July 1

WHO declares public health emergency of international concern over Ebola in Africa

According to the organization, "there are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time"

Russian embassy receives many requests from Transnistria for citizenship

The admission procedure in accordance with the decree will be launched upon completion of the necessary technical approvals

Six Ukrainian attacks on DPR recorded over past day

One person was reported killed and four civilians sustained wounds

Serbia to develop military-technical, energy cooperation with Azerbaijan — Vucic

According to the Serbian leader, the two countries may begin the construction of a 500 MW gas-turbine power plant near the city of Nis in southern Serbia already in 2027 to commission it by 2030

Russia scrambled military planes to prevent border violation by Dutch frigate

"All flights by Russian planes were carried out in strict compliance with international rules of using airspace," the ministry said

Putin holds phone conversation with Kazakh President Tokayev — Kremlin

The two leaders discussed current matters pertaining to the preparations for Vladimir Putin's upcoming state visit to Astana and the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to be held there

Finland scrambles fighter jets over potential drone activity — media

According to Yle, defense forces officially confirmed that control in these areas had been tightened

BNY Mellon intends to terminate depositary agreement for Russian retailer’s GDR program

The company has 90 days after receiving the resignation notice to appoint a new depositary and at least 90 days to terminate the program if no successor is appointed

IN BRIEF: Drone attack on Moscow, surrounding region kills three people, leaves 18 injured

According to preliminary reports, three people were killed and another six suffered injuries in the Moscow Region

Yakutia-Magadan railroad construction cost estimated at $26 billion

In 2021, a special expedition studied thoroughly the future construction, and presently specialists of the institute of transport’s economy and development are planning investments

Russian army controls 85% of Krasny Liman, over 50% of Shiykovka — Gerasimov

The troops of the grouping are also successfully operating on the Boguslav and Rubtsovsk directions, the Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General said

Russian forces moving in western part of Konstantinovka — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, fighting continues in the industrial zone and near the railway terminal

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Foreign ministers of Russia, Iran hold talks at UN headquarters

Earlier, Sergey Lavrov also met with Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi and Foreign Minister of Lebanon Abdallah Bou Habib on the UN sidelines

NATO launches operation to patrol Baltic Sea to increase critical infrastructure security

Mark Rutte did not say how many ships will be involved in the new military activity but noted that their number could vary from week to week